The Bobwhite Quail is a game-bird native to North America and about 5 inches tall when fully grown. In the wild, quail form into groups of 5 to 30 birds called coveys. Hunting quail can be done in more than one way. Today, most hunting is done while walking. A quail hunter usually trains a hunting dog called a "pointer" that runs in front of the hunters, trying to smell the quail. When a "pointer" smells quail, it stops running, stands perfectly still, and points its head toward where the smell is coming from. This is called a "point". The hunters then walk through the area that the pointer is looking at with loaded shot-guns. When the hunters get near the quail, the covey flushes and the hunters attempt to shoot the quail.
There is more than one style to hunt quail. Apart from "walk-hunting", which is simply following the dog by walking, there is also the traditional way. When hunting quail in the traditional way, the hunters ride on horse-back. Each horse wears a saddle with a special holster that holds a shotgun. Because a hunting dog cannot run for more than 45 minutes, more dogs must be on hand to use. A wagon with small kennels built into it holds a pair of dogs in each kennel. When there is a "point", the hunters get off their horses, load their guns, and then proceed with the same steps as I said before. Quail hunting is a very challenging and traditional game.
(Above) -Male Bobwhite-Quail with its Young
(Right) -Two Pointers at a Point
Bobwhite-Quail
The Bobwhite Quail is a game-bird native to North America and about 5 inches tall when fully grown. In the wild, quail form into groups of 5 to 30 birds called coveys. Hunting quail can be done in more than one way. Today, most hunting is done while walking. A quail hunter usually trains a hunting dog called a "pointer" that runs in front of the hunters, trying to smell the quail. When a "pointer" smells quail, it stops running, stands perfectly still, and points its head toward where the smell is coming from. This is called a "point". The hunters then walk through the area that the pointer is looking at with loaded shot-guns. When the hunters get near the quail, the covey flushes and the hunters attempt to shoot the quail.
There is more than one style to hunt quail. Apart from "walk-hunting", which is simply following the dog by walking, there is also the traditional way. When hunting quail in the traditional way, the hunters ride on horse-back. Each horse wears a saddle with a special holster that holds a shotgun. Because a hunting dog cannot run for more than 45 minutes, more dogs must be on hand to use. A wagon with small kennels built into it holds a pair of dogs in each kennel. When there is a "point", the hunters get off their horses, load their guns, and then proceed with the same steps as I said before. Quail hunting is a very challenging and traditional game.
(Above) -Male Bobwhite-Quail with its Young
(Right) -Two Pointers at a Point